- High 1:19 AM 3.6 ft
- Low 4:40 AM 3.3 ft
- High 10:50 AM 5.3 ft
- Low 6:38 PM -0.2 ft
First light 6:15 AMSunrise 6:43 AMSunset 5:00 PMLast light 5:28 PM
Santa Cruz, CA Tide Chart Today & Tomorrow
California · NOAA station Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay (1.5 mi) · updated Nov 12, 2026
Fri, Nov 13: High tide 2:20 AM (3.6 ft) and 11:28 AM (5.0 ft); low tide 5:19 AM (3.4 ft) and 7:24 PM (0.0 ft).
Tide todayHigh 2:20 AM · High 11:28 AMLow 5:19 AM · Low 7:24 PM
Today's range5.0 ft0.0 → 5.0 ft (MLLW)
Waves (buoy)Loading…NDBC 46236
Water temp (buoy)Loading…
WindLoading…
Sun6:44 AM – 4:59 PMFirst light 6:16 AM · Last light 5:27 PM
Buoy: NOAA NDBC 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)), 16 mi away. Buoy readings are recent observations, not a surf forecast. Wind: observed at NOAA NDBC station 46092 (MBM1), 15 mi away; forecast from the NOAA National Weather Service (api.weather.gov).
Santa Cruz tides — next 3 days
Shaded = night · heights in feet above MLLW · local time
- High 2:20 AM 3.6 ft
- Low 5:19 AM 3.4 ft
- High 11:28 AM 5.0 ft
- Low 7:24 PM 0.0 ft
First light 6:16 AMSunrise 6:44 AMSunset 4:59 PMLast light 5:27 PM
- High 3:23 AM 3.6 ft
- Low 6:11 AM 3.5 ft
- High 12:11 PM 4.7 ft
- Low 8:14 PM 0.2 ft
First light 6:17 AMSunrise 6:46 AMSunset 4:58 PMLast light 5:26 PM
- High 4:18 AM 3.7 ft
- Low 7:30 AM 3.5 ft
- High 1:06 PM 4.4 ft
- Low 9:04 PM 0.4 ft
First light 6:18 AMSunrise 6:47 AMSunset 4:58 PMLast light 5:26 PM
- High 4:58 AM 3.8 ft
- Low 9:12 AM 3.4 ft
- High 2:15 PM 4.0 ft
- Low 9:53 PM 0.5 ft
First light 6:19 AMSunrise 6:48 AMSunset 4:57 PMLast light 5:25 PM
Today's tide windows
- ▼ Falling 2:20 AM → 5:19 AM 3.6 → 3.4 ft
- ▲ Rising 5:19 AM → 11:28 AM 3.4 → 5.0 ft
- ▼ Falling 11:28 AM → 7:24 PM 5.0 → 0.0 ft
- ▲ Rising 7:24 PM → 3:23 AM (next day) 0.0 → 3.6 ft
From NOAA high/low predictions for station 9413745.
Today's tide windows
- ▼ Falling 1:19 AM → 4:40 AM 3.6 → 3.3 ft
- ▲ Rising 4:40 AM → 10:50 AM 3.3 → 5.3 ft
- ▼ Falling 10:50 AM → 6:38 PM 5.3 → -0.2 ft
- ▲ Rising 6:38 PM → 2:20 AM (next day) -0.2 → 3.6 ft
From NOAA high/low predictions for station 9413745.
This week's tide highlights
Fri, Nov 13 – Thu, Nov 19
Biggest high5.0 ftFri, Nov 13 11:28 AM
Lowest low0.0 ftFri, Nov 13 7:24 PM
Best daylight low1.8 ftThu, Nov 19 12:35 PMtide pools & beachcombing
Plan around it: Best tide for surf fishing · Best tide for surfing
NOAA predictions for station 9413745; daylight = first to last light (civil twilight). Predictions are astronomical and don't include wind, waves, or storm surge. Not for navigation.
Best fishing times today in Santa Cruz
Today is a good fishing day (solunar + tide)
6/10
Waxing crescent · 17% lit · Full moon Tue, Nov 24
Major fishing times
- Moon underfoot2:10 am – 4:10 am↻ Tide change: high 2:20 am
- Moon overhead2:35 pm – 4:35 pmSunset≈ Moving water, falling
Minor fishing times
- Moonrise10:25 am – 11:25 amNear slack (high 11:28 am)
- Moonset7:49 pm – 8:49 pmNear slack (low 7:24 pm)
Fishing times for the next 7 days
| TodayNov 13 | 6/10Good | Major 2:10 am – 4:10 am · 2:35 pm – 4:35 pm Minor 10:25 am – 11:25 am · 7:49 pm – 8:49 pm |
|---|---|---|
| SatNov 14 | 6/10Good | Major 3:00 am – 5:00 am · 3:24 pm – 5:24 pm Minor 11:04 am – 12:04 pm · 8:49 pm – 9:49 pm |
| SunNov 15 | 6/10Good | Major 3:47 am – 5:47 am · 4:10 pm – 6:10 pm Minor 11:37 am – 12:37 pm · 9:49 pm – 10:49 pm |
| MonNov 16 | 7/10Good | Major 4:32 am – 6:32 am · 4:54 pm – 6:54 pm Minor 12:06 pm – 1:06 pm · 10:50 pm – 11:50 pm |
| TueNov 17 | 7/10Good | Major 5:16 am – 7:16 am · 5:37 pm – 7:37 pm Minor 12:32 pm – 1:32 pm · 11:51 pm – 12:51 am |
| WedNov 18 | 4/10Fair | Major 5:59 am – 7:59 am · 6:20 pm – 8:20 pm Minor 12:57 pm – 1:57 pm |
| ThuNov 19 | 3/10Poor | Major 6:41 am – 8:41 am · 7:03 pm – 9:03 pm Minor 12:52 am – 1:52 am · 1:21 pm – 2:21 pm |
How this rating works
Solunar theory says fish feed more when the moon is overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 hours) and around moonrise and moonset (minor periods, about 1 hour). We score each day from 1 to 10 by checking when those periods happen, using the NOAA tide predictions for station 9413745 and the sun times for this spot:
| Base | every day starts at 1 | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise / sunset | a period overlaps sunrise or sunset ±1 h: major +2, minor +1 (max 3) (Moon overhead × sunset +2) | 2 |
| Tide | a NOAA high or low falls inside a period (tide change): major +2, minor +1; moving water during a major period (no high/low within 1 h of it) +1 (max 4) (Moon underfoot – tide change +2; Moon overhead – moving water +1) | 3 |
| Moon phase | within 2 days of a new or full moon +2, within 4 days +1 (today: 4.4 days) | 0 |
| Today | 6, rounded | 6/10 |
1–3 poor · 4–5 fair · 6–7 good · 8–10 excellent. Solunar times are a rule of thumb, not a guarantee: weather, water temperature and bait matter a lot. Tide changes and moving water are specific to this station, so nearby spots can score differently.
Solunar periods calculated for 36.97, -122.04 (moon times from astronomical equations, local time). Not a fishing forecast.
Best fishing times today in Santa Cruz
Today is a fair fishing day (solunar + tide)
5/10
Waxing crescent · 11% lit · Full moon Tue, Nov 24
Major fishing times
- Moon underfoot1:19 am – 3:19 am↻ Tide change: high 1:19 am
- Moon overhead1:45 pm – 3:45 pm≈ Moving water, falling
Minor fishing times
- Moonrise9:39 am – 10:39 amNear slack (high 10:50 am)
- Moonset6:52 pm – 7:52 pmNear slack (low 6:38 pm)
Fishing times for the next 7 days
| TodayNov 12 | 5/10Fair | Major 1:19 am – 3:19 am · 1:45 pm – 3:45 pm Minor 9:39 am – 10:39 am · 6:52 pm – 7:52 pm |
|---|---|---|
| FriNov 13 | 6/10Good | Major 2:10 am – 4:10 am · 2:35 pm – 4:35 pm Minor 10:25 am – 11:25 am · 7:49 pm – 8:49 pm |
| SatNov 14 | 6/10Good | Major 3:00 am – 5:00 am · 3:24 pm – 5:24 pm Minor 11:04 am – 12:04 pm · 8:49 pm – 9:49 pm |
| SunNov 15 | 6/10Good | Major 3:47 am – 5:47 am · 4:10 pm – 6:10 pm Minor 11:37 am – 12:37 pm · 9:49 pm – 10:49 pm |
| MonNov 16 | 7/10Good | Major 4:32 am – 6:32 am · 4:54 pm – 6:54 pm Minor 12:06 pm – 1:06 pm · 10:50 pm – 11:50 pm |
| TueNov 17 | 7/10Good | Major 5:16 am – 7:16 am · 5:37 pm – 7:37 pm Minor 12:32 pm – 1:32 pm · 11:51 pm – 12:51 am |
| WedNov 18 | 4/10Fair | Major 5:59 am – 7:59 am · 6:20 pm – 8:20 pm Minor 12:57 pm – 1:57 pm |
How this rating works
Solunar theory says fish feed more when the moon is overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 hours) and around moonrise and moonset (minor periods, about 1 hour). We score each day from 1 to 10 by checking when those periods happen, using the NOAA tide predictions for station 9413745 and the sun times for this spot:
| Base | every day starts at 1 | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise / sunset | a period overlaps sunrise or sunset ±1 h: major +2, minor +1 (max 3) | 0 |
| Tide | a NOAA high or low falls inside a period (tide change): major +2, minor +1; moving water during a major period (no high/low within 1 h of it) +1 (max 4) (Moon underfoot – tide change +2; Moon overhead – moving water +1) | 3 |
| Moon phase | within 2 days of a new or full moon +2, within 4 days +1 (today: 3.4 days) | 1 |
| Today | 5, rounded | 5/10 |
1–3 poor · 4–5 fair · 6–7 good · 8–10 excellent. Solunar times are a rule of thumb, not a guarantee: weather, water temperature and bait matter a lot. Tide changes and moving water are specific to this station, so nearby spots can score differently.
Solunar periods calculated for 36.97, -122.04 (moon times from astronomical equations, local time). Not a fishing forecast.
Santa Cruz tide table & sun times — next 7 days
| Thu, Nov 12Sun 6:43 AM – 5:00 PM | High 1:19 AM 3.63 ft | Low 4:40 AM 3.29 ft | High 10:50 AM 5.28 ft | Low 6:38 PM -0.15 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 13Sun 6:44 AM – 4:59 PM | High 2:20 AM 3.59 ft | Low 5:19 AM 3.41 ft | High 11:28 AM 5.02 ft | Low 7:24 PM 0.02 ft |
| Sat, Nov 14Sun 6:46 AM – 4:58 PM | High 3:23 AM 3.61 ft | Low 6:11 AM 3.49 ft | High 12:11 PM 4.71 ft | Low 8:14 PM 0.20 ft |
| Sun, Nov 15Sun 6:47 AM – 4:58 PM | High 4:18 AM 3.69 ft | Low 7:30 AM 3.51 ft | High 1:06 PM 4.38 ft | Low 9:04 PM 0.37 ft |
| Mon, Nov 16Sun 6:48 AM – 4:57 PM | High 4:58 AM 3.84 ft | Low 9:12 AM 3.37 ft | High 2:15 PM 4.04 ft | Low 9:53 PM 0.55 ft |
| Tue, Nov 17Sun 6:49 AM – 4:56 PM | High 5:27 AM 4.04 ft | Low 10:42 AM 2.99 ft | High 3:36 PM 3.77 ft | Low 10:37 PM 0.75 ft |
| Wed, Nov 18Sun 6:50 AM – 4:56 PM | High 5:51 AM 4.32 ft | Low 11:46 AM 2.44 ft | High 4:56 PM 3.61 ft | Low 11:17 PM 1.00 ft |
| Thu, Nov 19Sun 6:51 AM – 4:55 PM | High 6:14 AM 4.66 ft | Low 12:35 PM 1.77 ft | High 6:11 PM 3.56 ft | Low 11:55 PM 1.30 ft |
| Fri, Nov 20Sun 6:52 AM – 4:55 PM | High 6:38 AM 5.07 ft | Low 1:19 PM 1.03 ft | High 7:18 PM 3.60 ft |
Tide times and heights (ft, MLLW) are NOAA predictions for station 9413745; first light (civil dawn), sunrise, sunset and last light (civil dusk) are calculated for Santa Cruz with the NOAA solar equations. Times are local.
About the tide at Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz has a mixed semidiurnal tide: usually two highs and two lows a day, of noticeably unequal height (on average the day's two highs differ by 1.5 ft and its two lows by 2.4 ft). The average rise or fall between high and low tide is 3.4 ft, growing to about 6.7 ft at spring tides (around new and full moon) and shrinking to about 3.2 ft at neap tides (around the quarter moons). The highest tide predicted in the next 12 months is 6.8 ft on December 24, 2026 at 9:21 AM; the lowest is -1.8 ft on December 24, 2026 at 4:55 PM, and 185 low tides in that period drop below zero (MLLW).
- Tide type
- Mixed semidiurnal
- Mean range
- 3.4 ft
- Spring / neap range
- 6.7 ft / 3.2 ft
- Average higher high
- 5.2 ft
- Average lower low
- 0.0 ft
- Highest tide, next 12 months
- 6.8 ft · Dec 24, 2026
- Lowest tide, next 12 months
- -1.8 ft · Dec 24, 2026
- Negative low tides (12 months)
- 185
Computed from 12 months of NOAA high/low predictions for station 9413745 (Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay); heights in feet above MLLW.
Plan your trip to Santa Cruz
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Tide guides
All guides →- King tides 2026–2027: dates and times by beachThe highest predicted tides from November to February, beach by beach, with times and heights.
- Best tide for surf fishing: high vs. low, incoming vs. outgoingWhy moving water matters, how beach shape changes the answer, and notes for stripers and fluke.
- Best tide for surfing a beach breakLow, mid or high? How tide height changes sandbar waves, rips and shorebreak.
- How to read a tide chartTimes, heights, MLLW, rising vs. falling water and which station to trust, with a live example.
- Negative low tides this winter (2026–2027)The lowest predicted lows this winter, including the best daylight minus tides, beach by beach.
About Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, on the north shore of Monterey Bay.
- Tide station used
- Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, CA (NOAA 9413745, subordinate station (time and height offsets from a reference station))
- Distance to station
- 1.5 miles
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Coordinates
- 36.9744, -122.0353 (US Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer internal point (Santa Cruz city, GEOID 0669112))
- Time zone
- America/Los_Angeles
Station chosen by distance from the coordinates above.
FAQ
When is high tide today in Santa Cruz, CA?
On Fri, Nov 13, predicted high tide for Santa Cruz (NOAA station Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay) is at 2:20 AM (3.6 ft), 11:28 AM (5.0 ft) local time.
When is low tide today in Santa Cruz, CA?
On Fri, Nov 13, predicted low tide for Santa Cruz is at 5:19 AM (3.4 ft), 7:24 PM (0.0 ft) local time.
When are high and low tide tomorrow in Santa Cruz, CA?
On Sat, Nov 14, predicted high tides are at 3:23 AM (3.6 ft) and 12:11 PM (4.7 ft) for Santa Cruz; low tides are at 6:11 AM (3.5 ft) and 8:14 PM (0.2 ft) (local time).
Which tide station is used for Santa Cruz?
NOAA CO-OPS station 9413745 (Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, CA), a subordinate station (time and height offsets from a reference station), about 1.5 miles from the Santa Cruz reference point. Heights are in feet above Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW).
What time is sunrise and sunset in Santa Cruz today?
On Fri, Nov 13, first light (civil dawn) is about 6:16 AM, sunrise 6:44 AM, sunset 4:59 PM and last light (civil dusk) 5:27 PM local time (calculated).
Other beaches & towns nearby
- Ocean Beach (San Francisco), CA 61 mi
- Pismo Beach, CA 147 mi
Tide stations near Santa Cruz
- Elkhorn Slough Railroad Bridge, CA 17.5 mi
- Elkhorn Yacht Club, CA 17.7 mi
- Elkhorn Slough, Highway 1 Bridge, CA 17.9 mi
- Moss Landing, Ocean Pier, CA 18.1 mi
- General Fish Company Pier, CA 18.2 mi
- Kirby Park, Elkhorn Slough, CA 18.5 mi
- Tidal Creek, Elkhorn Slough, CA 18.8 mi
- Pacific Mariculture Dock, CA 18.9 mi